“Rectum, like any other part of the body, is susceptible to getting cancer,” says Dr. Patta Radhakrishna, gastrointestinal Surgeon at SIMS hospital, Chennai. The rectum is the terminal region of the large intestine where the stool is collected before being excreted through the anus.
“When there is painless bleeding while passing motion, the chances of rectal cancer being detected is very high,” says Dr. Patta. Other common symptoms are altered bowel habits, mucus secretion from the anal region, and tenesmus (feeling of wanting to pass stools without any outcome).
Dr. Patta advises that none of these symptoms should be taken lightly. It is of utmost importance to visit a doctor and get a proper diagnosis as soon as possible. A simple digital rectal examination (DRE) can allow an expert to detect the presence of cancer in most cases. Other tests like proctoscopy, biopsy and CT scan are done to confirm the diagnosis.
According to Dr. Patta, surgery is the best option to treat rectal cancer. The position of the tumor dictates the outcome of the surgery. Tumors that are higher up in the rectum can be removed following which the healthy parts can be reconnected. However, if the tumor is in the lower portion of the rectum, the only successful method to remove the tumor is to completely excise the rectum in a procedure called abdominoperineal (AP) resection. Such patients will have to wear an ostomy bag for the rest of their lives.
Dr. Patta recommends neoadjuvant therapy to minimize the damage to the sphincter muscles and rectum. The aim of neoadjuvant therapy is to shrink the tumor using chemotherapy and radiation before the surgery is conducted. “In some cases, further chemotherapy sessions are conducted after the surgery, to reduce the risk of a relapse,” says Dr. Patta.
Though older people, 50 years and above, are at a higher risk of developing rectal cancer, it is being detected more frequently in the younger population. “Rectal cancer in younger people is more aggressive and tends to spread very fast with higher rates of relapse,” says Dr. Patta. Sadly, it can also drastically reduce life expectancy in young patients. “There is not much we can do in such cases because rectal cancer often spreads to other vital organs quickly in children due to their unique biology,” observes Dr. Patta.
The only solution to the alarming trend of rectal cancer incidence increasing in youth is to create awareness regarding the condition. Better awareness, widespread screening tests, healthy and active lifestyle, etc are a few steps that can be taken to reduce the occurrence of rectal cancer among our young population.
CONTACT US
SIMS Hospital - Vadapalani, Chennai
(Next to Vadapalani Metro Station)
No.1, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai
(100 Feet Road), Vadapalani
Chennai – 600 026, Tamilnadu, India
